Tehran Intl. Puppet Theater Festival announces winners

The 14th edition of Tehran International Puppet Theater Festival (Mobarak) has announced the winners during a closing ceremony at Golestan Palace Museum in the capital.
Arash by Nasrin Khanjari’s troupe, The First Mermaid performed by Behrouz Salemi’s troupe and Vishka, a Rare Horse by Roqiyeh Ershadi’s troupe were the three Iranian puppet plays, which were honored at the festival.
Puppet theater expert Iraj Mohammadi, eminent artist Hassan Luian puppeteer of Persian puppet show of Kheimeh Shab-bazi and children’s puppet show veteran Hengameh Mofid received lifetime achievement awards.
A number of international theater troupes selected from among 41 troupes participated from different countries were also paid tribute at this year’s festival.
The international troupes mainly from Italy, Belarus, Germany, Turkey, Georgia, Afghanistan and India took part in the annual festival held in the Iranian capital’s City Theater grounds.
Three of the world’s tallest puppets Amou Nowruz (Uncle Nowruz), Naneh Sarma (Mother Frost) and Mobarak were featured at the opening ceremony of this year’s festival.
Amou Nowruz (Uncle Nowruz) and Naneh Sarma (Mother Frost) are 4.30 meters tall that were made by a group of nine Iranian artists.
Organized by the Iran office of UNIMA (Union Internationale de la Marionnette - International Puppetry Association), the festival was held from June 30 to July 5, 2012.
Cultural departments of German and Italian embassies in Tehran were also honored at the event for their collaboration with the organizers.
FGP/PKH